Friday 12 July 1940

Friday 12 July 1940

Attacks on convoy off Norfolk-Suffolk coast, shipping off the Isle of Wight and Aberdeen.

Night: South Wales and Bristol areas.

Weather: Mainly cloudy with early-morning fog in the Channel. Thunderstorms in many districts.

Main Activity:

At 0800 hours, a large formation comprising He 111s from III/KG 53 and Do 17s from II/KG 2 was detected heading towards the convoy codenamed BOOTY off the Suffolk coast. Six Hurricanes of No. 17 Squadron from Martlesham Heath were up and en route to patrol over the convoy, when notified of the incoming raid. They were reinforced by seventeen Hurricanes from Nos. 85, 242, and 151 Squadrons and six Defiants from No. 264 Squadron. In the ensuing combat, five bombers were shot down. Two Hurricanes were also lost to return fire.

At 1245 hours, He 111 bombers from KG 26 attacked a shipyard in Aberdeen, killing 29 people and injuring 100. Three Spitfires of No. 603 Squadron were scrambled from Dyce and shot down one of the bombers, which smashed into the newly-built Aberdeen Ice Rink.